Headers burned wire harness
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
Headers burned wire harness
KOOKS LT's recently installed. Got a problem with a burnt plastic blue/grey wire connector and insulated harness that's too close to one of the exhaust tubes.
The tube causing the damage is the long, straight one bolted to the front right (passenger) side of the block. The one that has the KOOKS stamp.
After warm up, the Oil Temp on the DIC always reads LOW TEMP, and I think I have a potential fire hazard
Exact Location:
Down low, passenger side, closest to the firewall, just before the headers' collecter merges, a plastic wire connector (that's pushed into a plastic fitting in the firewall) got melted ONTO the tube. The wire-harness' insulation below has been totally cooked. Wires exposed.
What wires are these?
Would that explain the faulty oil temp reading on the DIC?
Shouldn't the harness have been relocated to make room?
The tube passes awfully close and there's little clearance.
What is the correct installation?
The tube causing the damage is the long, straight one bolted to the front right (passenger) side of the block. The one that has the KOOKS stamp.
After warm up, the Oil Temp on the DIC always reads LOW TEMP, and I think I have a potential fire hazard
Exact Location:
Down low, passenger side, closest to the firewall, just before the headers' collecter merges, a plastic wire connector (that's pushed into a plastic fitting in the firewall) got melted ONTO the tube. The wire-harness' insulation below has been totally cooked. Wires exposed.
What wires are these?
Would that explain the faulty oil temp reading on the DIC?
Shouldn't the harness have been relocated to make room?
The tube passes awfully close and there's little clearance.
What is the correct installation?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
In that area, the harnesses most likely to be damaged are the two passenger-side O2 sensor connectors and wires. They are attached to the frame rail with plastic retainers. The only oil-related sensor on that side is the oil level sensor just under the starter.
Oil temp sensor is on the driver's side just above the oil filter.
Oil level sensor
Here's the passenger set of Kooks I helped a buddy install.
Oil temp sensor is on the driver's side just above the oil filter.
Oil level sensor
Here's the passenger set of Kooks I helped a buddy install.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Originally Posted by Blue LS1-LT1
Patches, thanks.
Then Oil temp sensor not working unrelated to wire burn issue on passenger side.
Then Oil temp sensor not working unrelated to wire burn issue on passenger side.
I would suggest using the Thermatec heat shielding I use. (See pic above.) I wrapped some of the sensor harnesses and the starter motor with Thermatec heat shielding. It's self-adhesive, reflects up to 90% of radiant heat and can withstand temperatures up to 2000 deg. F. It's also very easy to cut to shape with scissors and is simple to apply. You can get order it from Advanced Auto if it's not on the shelf.
You can also can use Koolmat, http://www.koolmat.com/main.htm They also have an assortment of vette products, including Koolsox heat shields for spark plug wires. I use a similar product on my Taylor wires to protect them from the heat from the primaries.
I also have Jet-Hot ceramic coating on the inside and outside of my headers. That helps some as well.
Last edited by Patches; Sep 12, 2005 at 05:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 3
From: somwhere Texas
Originally Posted by Patches
Have you checked the driver's side to confirm the oil temp sensor/wiring has not been damaged? It seems that, despite the trauma sustained, your passenger-side sensors are still functioning. You'll need to asses the damage and repair/replace as necessary.
I would suggest using the Thermatec heat shielding I use. (See pic above.) I wrapped some of the sensor harnesses and the starter motor with Thermatec heat shielding. It's self-adhesive, reflects up to 90% of radiant heat and can withstand temperatures up to 2000 deg. F. It's also very easy to cut to shape with scissors and is simple to apply. You can get order it from Advanced Auto if it's not on the shelf.
You can also can use Koolmat, http://www.koolmat.com/main.htm They also have an assortment of vette products, including Koolsox heat shields for spark plug wires. I use a similar product on my Taylor wires to protect them from the heat from the primaries.
I also have Jet-Hot ceramic coating on the inside and outside of my headers. That helps some as well.
I would suggest using the Thermatec heat shielding I use. (See pic above.) I wrapped some of the sensor harnesses and the starter motor with Thermatec heat shielding. It's self-adhesive, reflects up to 90% of radiant heat and can withstand temperatures up to 2000 deg. F. It's also very easy to cut to shape with scissors and is simple to apply. You can get order it from Advanced Auto if it's not on the shelf.
You can also can use Koolmat, http://www.koolmat.com/main.htm They also have an assortment of vette products, including Koolsox heat shields for spark plug wires. I use a similar product on my Taylor wires to protect them from the heat from the primaries.
I also have Jet-Hot ceramic coating on the inside and outside of my headers. That helps some as well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Westport CT
Patches, cannot thank you enough for the text help and awesome pics! Dropped car off this a.m. with shop that did the header install. he'll stand by his work. am curious to compare his fix strategy with yours. always helps to have options and my ducks in a row! thanks again! will post outcome here.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Nice pics as ususal... I have Kooks but made sure that everytime I get up under my car I have zip ties handly and I double check to make sure none of the wires are touching the tubes.
